Walking in Faith: The Journey of Consecration
Summary
In the passage from Genesis 17:1-2, God appears to Abraham, calling him to walk before Him and be perfect. This moment marks a significant point in Abraham's spiritual journey, illustrating the deepening of his consecration to God. Abraham's life is a testament to the divine order of calling, justification, and sanctification. These stages are not merely sequential but are interconnected, with each step building upon the previous one. The narrative of Abraham's life reminds us that sanctification is not the root of salvation but its fruit. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that we are justified, and it is this justification that leads to sanctification.
Abraham's story also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of deviating from faith. His decision to take Hagar as a wife, prompted by a lapse in faith, led to personal and familial turmoil. This deviation from God's promise resulted in a period of spiritual silence, highlighting the importance of steadfast faith and obedience. Yet, God's grace is evident as He reappears to Abraham, offering a path to restoration and deeper consecration.
The essence of a consecrated life is captured in God's command to Abraham: "I am the Almighty God; walk before me and be thou perfect." This call to perfection is not about achieving sinless perfection but about striving for sincerity and integrity in our walk with God. It is about living with an awareness of God's presence, allowing His sufficiency to guide our actions and decisions.
The covenant God makes with Abraham is a powerful reminder of His faithfulness and the assurance of His promises. It is through understanding and embracing this covenant that we find the strength to live a consecrated life. The covenant is not just a promise of blessings but a call to a new identity and a life set apart for God's purposes.
Key Takeaways:
1. Divine Order of Spiritual Growth: The journey of faith begins with God's calling, followed by justification through faith, and culminates in sanctification. Each stage is essential and interconnected, emphasizing that sanctification is the result of salvation, not its cause. [01:24]
2. Consequences of Unbelief: Abraham's lapse in faith, seen in his decision to take Hagar, serves as a warning about the consequences of deviating from God's promises. This act led to personal and familial strife, illustrating the importance of unwavering faith and obedience. [04:25]
3. God's Sufficiency and Our Faith: Recognizing God as El Shaddai, the Almighty, is crucial for a life of faith. When we understand God's sufficiency, we are empowered to trust Him fully, avoiding the temptation to rely on our own strength or worldly solutions. [12:02]
4. Living in God's Presence: Walking before God means living with a constant awareness of His presence, allowing it to guide our actions and decisions. This awareness fosters sincerity and integrity, essential components of a consecrated life. [16:38]
5. Covenant Assurance and Consecration: Embracing the covenant God makes with us provides assurance and strength for a consecrated life. This covenant is not just a promise of blessings but a call to a new identity and a life set apart for God's purposes. [26:47]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Abraham's Covenant
[01:05] - Sanctification and Consecration
[02:30] - Justification and Faith
[03:37] - Abraham's Lapse in Faith
[04:58] - Consequences of Unbelief
[06:43] - Lessons from Abraham's Mistakes
[08:28] - God's Grace and Restoration
[10:31] - Model of a Consecrated Life
[12:19] - Trusting in God's Sufficiency
[15:29] - Walking Before God
[18:28] - Call to Perfection
[21:09] - Sincerity and Integrity
[25:05] - Communion and Consecration
[26:47] - Covenant Assurance
[34:19] - New Identity in Christ
[44:22] - Results of Consecration
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 17:1-2
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Observation Questions:
1. What command does God give to Abraham in Genesis 17:1, and how does it relate to the concept of a consecrated life? [10:31]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between calling, justification, and sanctification in Abraham's life? [01:24]
3. What were the consequences of Abraham's decision to take Hagar as a wife, and how did this reflect a lapse in faith? [04:25]
4. How does the sermon illustrate God's sufficiency through the name El Shaddai, and what impact does this have on a believer's faith? [12:02]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that sanctification is the result of salvation rather than its cause? How does this understanding affect a believer's spiritual journey? [02:46]
2. How does the sermon use Abraham's story to highlight the importance of unwavering faith and obedience? What lessons can be drawn from his lapse in faith? [06:43]
3. What does it mean to "walk before God" as described in the sermon, and how does this concept influence a believer's daily life and decisions? [16:38]
4. How does the covenant God makes with Abraham serve as a reminder of His faithfulness and the assurance of His promises? What implications does this have for a believer's identity and purpose? [26:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a lapse in faith similar to Abraham's decision with Hagar. What were the consequences, and how did you find your way back to faith and obedience? [04:25]
2. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence in your daily life, as suggested by the call to "walk before God"? What practical steps can you take to live with sincerity and integrity? [16:38]
3. In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength rather than trusting in God's sufficiency? How can you shift your focus to recognize God as El Shaddai, the Almighty? [12:02]
4. Consider the covenant God made with Abraham. How does embracing this covenant provide you with assurance and strength for living a consecrated life? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with this new identity? [26:47]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with unbelief. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith and avoid the consequences of deviating from God's promises? [06:43]
6. How can you apply the lessons from Abraham's story to your own spiritual journey, particularly in terms of calling, justification, and sanctification? What stage are you currently in, and how can you progress further? [01:24]
7. Reflect on the concept of living a consecrated life. What does this mean for you personally, and how can you strive for sincerity and integrity in your walk with God? [10:31]
Devotional
Day 1: The Divine Sequence of Spiritual Growth
The journey of faith is a divine sequence that begins with God's calling, followed by justification through faith, and culminates in sanctification. These stages are not merely sequential but are deeply interconnected, with each step building upon the previous one. Justification is the act of being declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, and it is this justification that leads to sanctification, the process of being made holy. Sanctification is not the root of salvation but its fruit, emphasizing that it is the result of salvation, not its cause. Understanding this divine order helps believers appreciate the transformative work of God in their lives and encourages them to embrace each stage with faith and obedience. [01:24]
Romans 6:22 (ESV): "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in your sanctification process today, recognizing it as a fruit of your salvation?
Day 2: The Perils of Deviating from Faith
Abraham's decision to take Hagar as a wife, prompted by a lapse in faith, serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of deviating from God's promises. This act led to personal and familial strife, illustrating the importance of unwavering faith and obedience. When believers deviate from faith, they often experience turmoil and spiritual silence, as seen in Abraham's life. However, God's grace is evident as He reappears to Abraham, offering a path to restoration and deeper consecration. This narrative reminds us of the importance of steadfast faith and the dangers of relying on our own understanding instead of God's promises. [04:25]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Is there a promise from God that you have struggled to trust fully? How can you realign your faith with His promises today?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Sufficiency
Recognizing God as El Shaddai, the Almighty, is crucial for a life of faith. When believers understand God's sufficiency, they are empowered to trust Him fully, avoiding the temptation to rely on their own strength or worldly solutions. God's sufficiency means that He is more than enough to meet every need and fulfill every promise. This understanding encourages believers to live with confidence and assurance, knowing that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that they ask or think. Trusting in God's sufficiency allows believers to rest in His power and provision, even in the face of challenges and uncertainties. [12:02]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to rely on your own strength? How can you begin to trust in God's sufficiency instead?
Day 4: Living with an Awareness of God's Presence
Walking before God means living with a constant awareness of His presence, allowing it to guide actions and decisions. This awareness fosters sincerity and integrity, essential components of a consecrated life. Living in God's presence involves acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking to align one's life with His will. It is about striving for sincerity and integrity, not achieving sinless perfection. This call to perfection is about living with an awareness of God's presence, allowing His sufficiency to guide actions and decisions. By living in God's presence, believers are empowered to live lives that reflect His character and bring glory to His name. [16:38]
Psalm 16:8 (ESV): "I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily life, and what changes might this bring to your actions and decisions?
Day 5: Embracing the Covenant for a Consecrated Life
The covenant God makes with Abraham is a powerful reminder of His faithfulness and the assurance of His promises. Embracing this covenant provides strength for a consecrated life, as it is not just a promise of blessings but a call to a new identity and a life set apart for God's purposes. Understanding and embracing the covenant helps believers find the strength to live a consecrated life, set apart for God's purposes. This covenantal relationship with God calls believers to live in a way that reflects their new identity in Christ, marked by holiness and dedication to His will. By embracing the covenant, believers are empowered to live lives that honor God and fulfill His purposes. [26:47]
Hebrews 8:10 (ESV): "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Reflection: What does it mean for you to live a life set apart for God's purposes, and how can you embrace your new identity in Christ today?
Quotes
In vain do men pretend to be consecrated to God before they are called of God's spirit such have yet to be taught that no strength of nature can suffice to serve the Lord a right they must learn what this meth ye must be born again for assuredly until men are brought into spiritual life by the effectual calling of the holy spirit all their talk about serving God may be answered in the words of Joshua ye cannot serve the Lord. [00:01:52]
Remember Holiness is a flower not a root it is not sanctification that saves but Salvation that sanctifies a man is not saved by his Holiness but but he becomes holy because he is already saved being justified by faith and having peace with God he walks no longer after the flesh but after the spirit and in the power of the blessing which he has received by Grace he dedicates himself to the service of his gracious God. [00:02:46]
Abraham did wrong both in taking Hagar to wife and in allowing her to be badly used in after years the child of the Bond woman mocked the child of the free woman and an expulsion of both mother and child was needful there was deep sorrow in Abraham's heart a bitterness not to be told polygamy though tolerated under the Old Testament was never approved it was only endured because of the hardness of men's Hearts it is evil only evil and that continually. [00:06:40]
Learn from this that if we once forsake the track of simple Faith once cease to walk according to the Purity which Faith approves we strew our path with thorns cause God to withhold the light of his countenance from us and Pierce ourselves through with many Sorrows but Mark Beloved the exceeding grace of God the way to recover Abraham from his backsliding was that the Lord should appear to him and consequently we read in our text that at 99 years of age Abraham was favored with a further visit from the most high. [00:07:56]
For a man to be thoroughly Sanctified to the Master's service he must first realize the almightiness and all sufficiency and glory of God Brethren the god whom we serve filth all things and hath all power and all riches if we think little of him we shall render little trust to him and consequently little obedience but if we have grand conceptions of the glory of God we shall learn to confide in him most thoroughly we shall receive mercies from him most plentifully and we shall be moved to serve him most consistently. [00:10:52]
Walk before me this is the style of Life which characterizes true Holiness it is a walking before God ah Brethren Abraham had walked before Sarai he had paid undue respect to her views and wishes he had walked too in the sight of his own eyes and in the inclinations of his own heart when he was Allied to Hagar but now the Lord gently rebukes him with the exaltation walk before me. [00:15:31]
The Christian man is to put out and use the strength and Grace which he hath received the pth of the exaltation lies in the last words walk before me by which I understand and habitual sense of the presence of God or doing the right thing and shunning the wrong out of respect to the will of God a consideration of God in all actions public and private. [00:16:30]
The next words are and be thou perfect Brethren does this mean absolute perfection I shall not controvert the belief of some that we may be absolutely perfect on Earth freely do I admit that the model of sanctification is perfection it were inconsistent with the character of God for him to give us any other than a perfect command and a perfect standard no law but that of absolute perfection could come from a perfect God and to give us a model that were not absolutely perfect were to ensure to us superabundant imperfections and to give us an excuse for them. [00:18:37]
Genuine spiritual consecration begins with communion with God note the third verse Abraham fell on his face and God talked with him by looking at Christ Jesus His Image is photographed upon our mind and we are changed from glory to glory Glory as by the presence of the Lord distance from God's presence always means sin holy familiarity with God engenders Holiness the more you think of God the more you meditate upon his works the more you praise him the more you pray to him the more constantly you talk with him and he with you by the Holy Ghost the more surely are you upon the road to thorough consecration to his cause. [00:25:03]
The root and source of all consecration to God lies in regeneration we are born again a new and Incorruptible seed is placed within us which liveth and abide forever the name of Christ is named upon us we are no longer called Sinners and unjust but we become the children of God by faith which is in Christ Jesus. [00:34:19]
There must be a denying of the flesh with its affections and lusts we must mortify our members there must be self-denial if we are to enter upon the service of God the Holy Spirit must pass sentence of death and cutting away upon the passions and tendencies of corrupt Humanity much must perish which nature would cherish but die it must because Grace abor it. [00:36:59]
Seek after the highest degree of sanctity my dear Brethren and sisters seek for it labor for it and while you rest in faith alone for justification be not slack concerning growth in grace that the highest attainments be your ambition and God grant them to you for his son's sake amen. [00:49:07]
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